roccoschili Chapter 16: Now that we've collected the security fee, we have to get things done!
Chapter 16: Now that we've collected the security fee, we have to get things done!
Rock had already imagined countless ways to exploit the ratmen, until he glanced at his population quota and realized that these things could only remain fantasies for the time being.
"Damn it, it seems that relying on exploiting the ratmen to further boost production is not a realistic option until the population reaches a certain level..."
Rock sighed. As things stand, he still needs to use the population quota he has to recruit soldiers. In that case, his plan to exploit the ratmen will have to be put on hold for now.
Two Poison Wind Grenadiers, who were still chattering away in the distance, suddenly felt a chill for some reason.
The two large rats exchanged a puzzled look, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. They felt as if something terrifying was watching them and radiating malice!
As for the other Cossack cavalryman, Rock carefully read the description of this type of soldier and found that this type of soldier could indeed be used as a supplement to his cavalry.
From a combat perspective, these Cossack cavalrymen were probably no match for the French charioteers in reality, since the charioteers had guns and were more organized than the Cossack cavalrymen.
However, Cossack cavalry were cheaper than French charioteers, and these guys were ruthless enough that their fighting ability was very reliable, at least as bandits.
Moreover, Rock felt that the greatest value of this unit was not in direct combat, but in its ability to generate a large number of cheap and high-quality warhorses for him.
These Cossack cavalrymen rode Don horses, which were tall and strong and could be used as pack animals for hauling goods or as warhorses.
For just 25 taels of silver, he could acquire a batch of high-quality warhorses. Isn't that incredibly profitable?
With this skill, as long as Rock can spread out the horse-selling route, he can even suppress the price of warhorses throughout the entire area outside the Great Wall!
Of course, he only kept this idea in his mind for the time being, and he didn't intend to take the path of low profit and high volume.
Based solely on the quality advantage of these warhorses, he could easily pursue a high-end strategy; why would he need to focus on low profit margins and high sales volume?
Rock shouted to the surrounding cavalry, gathering them all together, and then said to them:
"Alright, brothers, let's go to that village over there and talk to them about the security fee."
"Tell those villagers that their territory has been incorporated into our sphere of influence!"
Rock didn't care about the amount of security fees; in fact, he hadn't expected to make money from them anyway.
To put it bluntly, they're just a bunch of poor people. Even if Rock squeezes them hard, how much silver can he actually get out of them?
The real point is not the security costs, but that Rock has effectively controlled and managed them, which gives him a base of support and allows them to provide him with population quotas.
Perhaps a village can't provide many people, but what if Rock controls enough villages?
If he were to find a way to gradually increase the loyalty of these people to him, or even to the point of winning the hearts and minds of the people, wouldn't his population size expand instantly?
That's the key point. If the population quota can't be increased, then his system will be completely useless. He can't expect to slowly accumulate money and eventually control the situation with just a few dozen or a hundred superhuman units from Total War: Warhammer, can he?
If that were the case, it would take forever to develop.
The villagers of Wangjiazhuang watched nervously as a group of cavalrymen returned. When they saw that the cavalrymen were all unharmed, and even the hems of their clothes were not dirty, they couldn't help but raise their opinion of the cavalrymen's fighting ability even higher.
Of course, the reason for this was largely because the blood inside those living corpses had almost solidified, turning into some kind of gelatinous substance.
Otherwise, given the speed at which these cavalrymen were beheading people, blood would have been splattered everywhere long ago. How could it be that there wasn't a trace of dirt on the head?
With a creaking sound, several villagers worked together to push the wooden gate open, opening the main gate of the wall.
The middle-aged village chief came out, accompanied by several young men carrying weapons.
Seeing Rock and his group approaching, he quickly clasped his hands in a salute and said:
"Thank you all for your help, heroes. Please come to our village to rest and have a meal. We don't have anything fancy to offer, so we can only serve you a simple meal."
But Rock simply waved his hand and said:
"Fellow villagers, there's no need for a meal. We just happened to be passing by and saw the zombies attacking you, so we took it upon ourselves to help."
"However, village chief, let me be frank, you've all seen the state of the world these days."
"We can't count on the imperial army. At most, they can only sweep the snow from their own doorstep and take care of the city. They are simply not capable of clearing out the living corpses in this desolate wilderness. And it would be too dangerous for the people in your village to face the zombie horde alone."
"Let's not even talk about how many heroes you've died fighting the zombies in the past. Just this time, I think you almost didn't make it. If our team hadn't arrived in time, your village would probably have been devoured alive by those zombies!"
The village chief nodded gravely. Indeed, if Rock and his men hadn't arrived in time, the zombies would probably have already stormed in.
When Rock and his group arrived, the zombies were already almost on top of the wall. Not to mention, under the continuous impact and pressure, the wall was almost collapsing in several places. If it weren't for the villagers working together to support it, the wall would probably have collapsed long ago.
In this zombie outbreak, a total of 12 men from their village died, all of them accidentally scratched by the monsters as they climbed up—in these days, being scratched by a zombie meant certain death, and within an hour you would be completely turned into a zombie.
He vaguely guessed what Rock wanted to say, so he tentatively asked:
"In that case, sir, what do you think we should do?"
Rock patted the pistol at his waist and said:
"Fellow villagers, these days, corpses are rampant and bandits are everywhere. I and the Luo family army behind me are willing to protect the peace of this region!"
"As long as you're willing to pay the security fee and plant our Luo Family Army flag at the village entrance, I'll have my men take care of any attacks, whether they're from zombies or gangs!"
"It's not just you, but the same goes for all the other villages around here. Anyone willing to pay security fees and hang our flag at the entrance of their village will be under the protection of the Luo Family Army. If you encounter any trouble, the Luo Family Army will stand up for you!"
Well, that sounds good, but it's just that—it sounds good.
Village Chief Wang Qiang had heard similar stories more than once before. Back then, the gang from Xiaoheishan made him the same promise, but when it came down to it, those guys didn't even show up. They even robbed the villagers who came to seek refuge with them!
So Wang Qiang sighed and declined somewhat helplessly:
"Lord Luo, what you say is indeed true, but unfortunately we can't afford much in security fees!"
"As you should know, the gang from Xiaoheishan comes here every few months to collect security fees. We've basically given them all our money and supplies. If another gang comes, we simply can't keep going!"
But Wang Qiang didn't expect that after hearing these words, Rock would suddenly laugh.
"Hahaha, since that's the case, then you don't need to worry anymore, because we've wiped out the gang in Little Black Mountain, and now we're occupying Little Black Mountain!"
Rock said with a smile, "I didn't expect that the other party would happen to run into my previous actions."
"Now that we've wiped out the gang in Xiaoheishan, when you pay your security fees later, you only need to pay us."
Immediately afterward, seeing Wang Qiang standing there dumbfounded, seemingly unwilling to express his opinion, Luo Ke frowned slightly and said:
"Don't worry, we're not as corrupt as the people from Little Black Mountain. We only charge half the price they charge for security, and we don't have all those messy taxes! Even if there's a tax increase in the future, we'll definitely discuss it with you!"
"Besides, I, Luo, keep my word. If you ever have any trouble, now or in the future, just tell us, Luo Family Army! Unless you're planning a rebellion, if anyone bullies you or causes us trouble, we'll stand up for you!"
As soon as Luo Ke finished speaking, Wang Qiang waved his hands repeatedly.
"Oh, Uncle Luo, let's not talk like that. We wouldn't dare rebel!"
But then, after thinking for a moment, he said to Rock with a bitter face:
"But sir, we do have a problem!"
"Yesterday, three girls from our village went out to collect herbs, but unexpectedly, they were arrested by the insurance team from Liujiatun next door!"
"The entire Liujiatun security team is composed of henchmen of the tyrant Liu Sanpang, totaling more than 20 men. They are not only extremely vicious, but they also possess five guns!"
"Gentlemen, if you can help us rescue those three poor girls, I swear to God, I will definitely pay your security fee in full, no questions asked!"
As he said this, a tear rolled down Wang Qiang's cheek, and he said through gritted teeth:
"Those three girls from our village are all from good families, and they were just arrested by the security team from Liujiatun. Uncle Luo, you have to do justice for us!"
Wow, I didn't expect it to actually work!
Rock's eyes lit up, and he said with a sneer:
"Heh, this is really interesting. I was just worried about not having anyone to 'crack' with, and now someone actually dares to run wild on my turf!"
"Don't worry, village chief. Just send one of your men to show us the way, and I'll set off right away. I guarantee I'll bring those three girls back to you, alive or dead!"